Goodell scores big salary as NFL commissioner

Commissioner Roger Goodell was paid $29.49 million by NFL owners in 2011, nearly triple his compensation from the previous year.

According to the league's most recent tax return, most of Goodell's pay comes in the form of a $22.3 million bonus. His base pay was $3.1 million. The NFL was scheduled to file the return Friday.

While the league declined comment on specifics, it must, by law, make the return available upon request.

In 2011, Goodell helped the league reach a new 10-year labor deal and work out lucrative TV contracts.

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank issued a statement calling the NFL the "most successful and best-managed sports league in the world," and it "is in no small part due to Roger's leadership." He added that Goodell's "compensation reflects that."

Goodell earned $11.6 million in 2010.

Goodell's compensation was first reported by Sports Business Journal.

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